Apologize for the delay in responding -- great questions.
I don't think there was a feeling of bait and switch. The biggest challenge was the cruise extensions halfway through deployment, but I think we all realized that was our job, and at least for me, I came in the service with eyes wide open. Of course, you never really know what a deployment is like until you experience one. My two deployments both took place when I was single and had no family or even a significant other. I really didnt like being disconnected from the world.
I knew from the beginning of my service I probably wasn't a lifer, although I kept all paths open, and pushed myself to hit the wickets as if I were.
I've done a lot of reflection about why I really am leaving, and while I still think deployments are a big part of it, the bigger factor for me is that when I look at my bosses all the way up the chain, I'm not sure I want their jobs. Not because they have too many admin requirements, etc, but simply because I don't want to do the same thing for my whole life. Personally, I thrive on the thrill of doing new things, putting myself out there, and seeing how far I can push the boundaries. A military career is very "safe" and predictable, which is why I think a lot of people are comfortable with it - and that works for them. My soul dies a little when I can predict that in 20 years I will be an O-6 in the Pentagon. I also realized I'm a just an interchangable widget in the Navy -- I may have unique talents, as do we all, but if I leave, the service won't suffer. Someone will always fill that jet. I want to be part of an organization where I am indispensable to the mission, and where my unique skillsets are well matched to the organization. Finally, I'm ready to start building enduring things instead of destroying them. Our F/A-18 mission is to kill people and mess stuff up -- it is much needed, and critical to our national security -- and I loved destroying enemy targets in Afghanistan. But that's just not me anymore.